Page 207 of Love Me Stalk Me
Cal’s voice pulls me back.
I turn, and he’s just there, steady and quiet, and somehow it’s enough to leave me off balance.
I cannot tell him the truth. I mean, how exactly do I explain that I spent my night drinking with Amanda before slipping into her guest bed and letting an AI version of him make me come so hard I saw God?
"Uh, good." I clear my throat. "We drank a lot. Gossiped. You know. Normal girl stuff."
"That's it?" His lips curve slow, knowing. "You hesitated. What are you not telling me?"
I internally combust.
"Nothing!" I wave a hand, staring hard at the road ahead. "Just... a lot of wine. A lot of girl talk. You don't wanna hear it."
"Oh, I don't?"
"Nope." I shake my head rapidly. "Absolutely not."
"Hm." He taps his fingers against the wheel. "So... what were you two gossipingabout?"
I groan, slouching down in my seat.
"Cal."
"Izzy."
I shoot him a glare. "Fine. We talked about how hot you are. Happy?"
He lets out a soft, amused laugh, then cuts me a side glance. "Yeah. Actually."
I roll my eyes. He's impossible. Thankfully, he changes the subject before I have to throw myself out of the car.
"Tell me about your family," he says, his voice still laced with amusement.
I make a face akin to a grimace. "Okay. Well." I start counting on my fingers. "You've got my dad, the quiet one who mostly drinks wine and laughs while my brothers terrorize me. He's got these two yappy Pomeranians he named Tony Soprano and Lady Gaga that he sneaks prosciutto to under the table. Mama will kill him if she ever catches him."
Cal raises an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Then there's my mom, the walking embodiment of Catholic guilt. She cornered the priest after Mass last week to ask him what novena she should pray to find me a husband. She's convinced my 'biological clock is ticking like a time bomb.'" I make air quotes, rolling my eyes. "My Nonna has been praying for my wedding since I was sixteen and will definitely try to cop a feel when she meets you."
His eyes widen just slightly. "Sorry, what?"
"Oh, she likes to squeeze biceps. It's her thing. Just... be prepared."
His lips twitch. "And your brothers?"
I let out a deep breath.
"Matteo, the oldest. Married with child. He's the level-headed, responsible one. The one who's going to pull me aside and have aVery Serious Talkwith me about you."
Cal hums, like he's expecting that.
"Then there's Luca. The hot-headed one. He already hates you."
"Oh, does he?"
"Yep. Thinks I can do better."
"Smart guy."
